Vacation

Today is Day 20 of BlogFest 2012.  Today’s host is Toni from Renee Ashley Williams.  The topic question for today is:

Have you ever returned home from a family vacation and felt more exhausted than when you left?

Me and (and I think?? Sleepy)  1972

     Most vacations my family took revolved around one of my Dad’s loads to the same destination.  We would follow him in our family car, and after he delivered his load he left his truck at a truck stop and we went and enjoyed our vacation together.   Thinking over the past vacations that my family took over the years I can honestly say each and every one I returned home happy and energized from all the wonderful memories that were created.  I loved every minute of it.   Over the years I went to Disney World and Florida 3 times.  Because I was only 3 the first time and 4 the second, I don’t remember much about those trips.  Thanks to home movies, family stories, and photographs my memories have been helped along a bit.  The last time when I went with my parents to Disney World and Epcot were the best because I remember it in vivid detail.  We had a blast.

Me and Minnie Mouse Fall 1986

       I remember one year we followed my Dad’s truck out west.  We vacationed in Colorado visiting tourist attractions like the Denver Mint where I got to see money being made, the house of the unsinkable Molly Brown, ghost towns, Pikes Peak, and the Santa Claus Workshop that lies at the mountain’s base. I remember vividly panning for gold, feeling sick on the summit of Pike’s Peak because I wasn’t used to the elevation, and then throwing up from one end of Santa Claus village to the other.  I was scared Santa wouldn’t come that year because I covered his home with vomit.  Thankfully he did come, and I was relieved!!

       One year my family went and explored the Wisconsin Dells.  We rode the legendary ducks, went on boat tours of the Dells, and seen a futuristic house that was weird.  While we were touring a wax museum a door inside blew open and straw flew everywhere.  We ran outside to discover a tornado heading right for us from down the street.  Instead of taking cover, my mom, dad, and I stood mesmerized watching the tornado destroying everything in its path as it progressed up the street.  Before it reached us it dissipated.  The elevators down to the boat rides were all loaded with people trapped when the power went out.

Me at Kings Island about 1989

        There have been many trips to Nashville, Tennessee, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Six Flags.  We went on a trip to Mackinac Island and countless trips all over the country where the main objective was to see the Oak Ridge Boys.  For my mom, the Oak Ridge Boys were an attraction that rivaled Mickey Mouse.  I got sunburned swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and sunbathing on the Florida beaches.  When I think back, I have been quite a few places.

On our honeymoon 1997

        When my husband and I married we honeymooned on the Lake Erie islands of Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island.  Since then there have been a few day trips to zoos, museums, and overnight camping but no real vacations.  Unfortunately for me, since my husband is on the road 3-5 weeks at a time, his idea of vacation is coming home until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.